1. We need more women candidates running for office, of all kinds: Democrat, Republican, minority parties, independents. Women’s voices are key to creating well-rounded laws and government policies for our society. As a celebrity with great name recognition as well as a base in-state and public-policy cred through her Harvard master’s degree, Judd has a head start on successfully leaving her mark.

2. Damn, that would have been a fun race. Judd is polarizing, colorful and not afraid to speak her mind. She could have enlivened electoral politics in a similar manner to another love-her-or-hate her figure, Sarah Palin.

More damaging, to my eyes, were Judd’s past comments comparing mountain-top coal mining to rape. Her strong opposition to a practice of a common Kentucky livelihood earned her a lot of enmity in coal country. Some posted billboards mocking her: "Ashley makes a living removing her top. Why can't coal miners?"

And that brings me to the possibility of her nude scenes cropping up in campaign ads. Probably most voters who’d be turned off by her acting past wouldn’t vote for her anyway ... but, maybe Judd felt she needed to put a little more distance between her and her Mr. Skin greatest hits?